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Plant Diseases
Ornamental Diseases in Arkansas
Ornamental plantings contribute significantly to the overall aesthetic value
of our landscapes. These plantings help control erosion, provide shade, and
ameliorate the environment around the home. Most infectious ornamental diseases
are caused by a diverse group of microorganisms called fungi. These microscopic
organisms typically reproduce by spores that are analogous to seeds in higher
vascular plants. These plant disease organisms may attack any part of the plant
resulting in the formation of symptoms. Symptoms, the visual evidence of a plant
disease, may be very characteristic for the organism responsible for the
disease. Infectious diseases of ornamentals that are caused by bacteria are
quite common in greenhouses where there is a lot of moisture in and around
growing area. Several virus diseases are important to ornamentals, especially
herbaceous ornamentals grown under greenhouse conditions. In addition to those
diseases caused by living agents such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, and
nematodes, there are many environmental stresses that may lead to decline or
death of ornamentals. Common sources of stress to landscape ornamentals include
herbicide injury, improper fertilization and irrigation, injury to the trunks
and stems from mowers and string trimmers. Stressed ornamentals are more
vulnerable to plant diseases, insects and environmental stresses.
Diseases of ornamental are commonly managed by several practices that include
Crop rotation, weed and insect management, removal or rouging, proper plant
selections and planting techniques, sanitation, and use of appropriate
fungicides.
Resource Links
Prepared by Stephen Vann
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